Staff Reporter
ANNA Shiweda, Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, emphasized at a high-level dialogue held on the margins of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, that while agrochemicals and fertilizers are the most used inputs in the agricultural sector—particularly in controlling pests, diseases, and enhancing productivity—they can result in serious environmental and public health repercussions if not well managed, especially in their use and disposal.
She expressed gratitude to the African Union Commission and the Government of Norway for inviting Namibia to participate in the high-level policy dialogue, which is being held under the theme: “Sowing Success – The Role of Soil Health Partnerships in Boosting Food Security.”
“This theme is fitting as approximately 95 percent of food production worldwide depends on good soils, but most importantly, only healthy soils can provide an adequate supply of food and fibre for the increasing world population, which is expected to reach the nine billion mark by 2050,” she said.
Shiweda said that given the indispensability of healthy soils for crop production and food security, there remains the responsibility to improve and preserve the health of the soils for the survival of the current and future generations.
“For this reason, we are strongly encouraged to observe and comply with the Global, Continental, and Regional guidelines on the utilization and application of agrochemicals. This will enable us to fast-track the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets, in particular SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production,” she said.
With regard to fertilizer consumption, Shiweda said that Sub-Saharan Africa has an average fertilizer application rate of 22 kg per hectare, compared to a world average estimated at 146 kg per hectare.
The Deputy Minister added that Sub-Saharan Africa’s level of fertilizer consumption does not compare well with top consumers in the world, such as China and Chile, which are closer to 400 kg per hectare.
Shiweda informed the high-level gathering that the Namibian Government has passed a Cabinet decision to subsidize fertilizers in order to stimulate and increase their use per hectare. Additionally, Namibia is also in the process of promoting both chemical and organic fertilizer production in the country through Public-Private Partnerships.
She warned that, despite the benefits of fertilizers, there is also a negative environmental impact associated with their use. Therefore, a balanced approach to soil fertility management is essential, integrating chemical fertilizers with organic inputs, food system transformation, conservation agriculture practices, and agro-ecological principles to promote sustainable agricultural systems that meet both current and future food needs without compromising environmental health.
“This holistic approach,” she said, “will be critical for addressing the food demands of Africa and ensuring the long-term sustainability of global food production systems.”
